Stories of Struggle and Success in Our Schools

We are parents, teachers, students and community members with stories to tell. We want to rise above the politics and news headlines and talk about what’s working and what needs to improve for Chicago’s kids.

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CPS Parents Wanted for Research Study

My name is Julie Nesbitt. I am the mother of a CPS student. I’m looking for families with children in grades K-4 in a Chicago Public School for a research study on the experiences of parents who, like me, have had the school consider their child’s behavior challenging. For example, schools have sent my son home during work hours, and threatened restraints,…

Reggie King

Thanks to His Teacher, Lindblom’s Top 2022 Grad Discovered His Love of Math. Here’s How He’s Paying It Forward.

Reginald “Reggie” King graduated from Lindblom College Preparatory in May, with a passion for math education and a plan to invest in the future of academic success. Attending Xavier University in Louisiana on a full ride scholarship this fall, King plans to major in accounting to satisfy his love for math and minor in either education or sports management. There,…

Tomorrow: Cure Violence with #Belonging

On Thursday, August 18, at 7 p.m. join Shytown Sugar Films at the Hairpin Arts Center for a night of #Belonging. A unique lineup of artists tackles “very real societal issues and in doing so, invites the audience to take an unfiltered look at how belonging looks different when diversity comes into play.” #Belonging’s dynamic line-up includes: Comedy by Aaron…

Still Looking for Summer Camp?

If you still haven’t found the right camp experience for your child, it’s not too late! Here are a couple of possibilities, with space and financial aid still available. First, an overnight camp held on the campus of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Closer to home, karate day camp in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood: Thousand Waves’ Camp Kokoro offers quality martial…

CPS CEO Pedro Martinez

Stop Pretending Tweaking Selective Enrollment Will Get Kids Equity

Last night, I finally got around to watching the video Chicago Public Schools released back in March to explain its proposed options for changing how students are admitted to selective enrollment schools. Take a look for yourself: True to form, Chicago Public Schools wants us to think they are all about equity, when in fact they are, at best, barely…